Because we’ve noticed residents’ increasingly bitter attitude toward SEPTA because of the persistent snow-related detours and cancellations, we’d like to share some positive news.
SEPTA have announced a comprehensive strategy to become a sustainable organization. The plan, called SEP-TAINABLE: The Route to Regional Sustainability, sets forth twelve goals for 2015 . Among the goals are things like the installation of energy efficient escalators and LED lighting, a bike-share program, and decreasing the amount of pollutants discharged from machines by 10%. SEPTA will also increase its fleet of hybrid buses and begin work on an electronic fare system that commuters can access by cell phone.
Though they claim that the plan is not specifically aimed at “going green,” it stands to have a tremendously positive impact on the environment. Here’s how:
-SETPA passengers offset some 300,000 metric tons of greenhouse emissions each year.
-A commuter who relies on SEPTA rather than a car may decrease their individual carbon footprint by one-third.
-SEPTA will work with the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) to capture storm water before it pollutes our water system. (Because a portion of our city’s storm water and sewage lines are combined, storm water runoff and water supply pollution is particularly important.)
-SEPTA will implement comprehensive waste management programs to divert waste from landfills and dispose of hazardous materials.
So while we can’t swear by their reliability, we may soon be able to brag about SEPTA’s sustainability.
Cool